Lacazette Has A Verbal Agreement With Atletico Madrid, Confirms Lyon President

Reuters

Alexandre Lacazette had confirmed his departure from Lyon few days back and had hinted a move to Spanish giants Atletico Madrid while he praised the club.

However, nothing was confirmed until today, when L’Equipe announced that the Lyon striker is set to join Atletico, after having reached a verbal agreement with the club. As per the reports, the news that a verbal arrangement has been reached between Alexandre Lacazette and Atletico Madrid was confirmed by club president Jean Michel Aulas.

Aulas said: “Alex has a verbal agreement with a club, Atletico, but there is no certainty, since we have to wait for CAS to lift the ban on recruitment. We accepted Alex’s request to discuss exclusively with this club, but the other side of that is that this transfer is made on our terms.”

The French striker, who joined the 7-time Ligue 1 Champions as an 11-year-old, has been indicating throughout the season about this campaign being his final one with Olympique Lyonnais. Having made 275 appearances for the club, Lacazette has scored a tally of 129 goals and bagged 43 assists.

The Lyon striker, who is the second-top scorer in Ligue 1 this season with 28 goals, was also linked to Arsenal and Liverpool, with both Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klopp looking for a centre-forward this summer. But as it appears, Atletico have won the race for Lacazette’s signature.

However, a lot still depends on whether FIFA lift the ban from the La Liga giants. FIFA’s ban on the Spanish side from signing players, after they were found guilty of breaking international transfer rules for under-16s, is a major roadblock that needs to be lifted before Lacazette can officially complete the move to Vicente Calderón.

Los Rojiblancos have already made an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and a decision is expected this month.

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Alexandre Lacazette Confirms Summer Departure From Lyon

The Frenchman has also hinted about his future club

Olympique Lyonnais striker Alexandre Lacazette has confirmed that he won’t be with the club next season, as he will leave the Ligue 1 side this summer.

Lacazette had joined the 7-time Ligue 1 Champions as an 11-year-old, and having played for Lyon since making his senior debut in 2010, the 25-year-old has indicated that he feels that it’s the right time to move on and prove himself at a higher level.

As per the statement given by him to ​L’Equipe, the striker said: “I think that’s the right time. I want to discover something else, to test myself and to pass a certain level.

“I know very well that on a European scale, I am not yet very recognised. I want to see if I can answer the questions that people are asking, and to make further progress. We are at a time when everybody finds his account, and that’s good.”

The Frenchman also hinted about his future club, as he hailed Atletico Madrid to be a “great team”.

“Atletico is a club that has been in the last stages of the Champions League for several years. It is a great team with a new stadium, and it is also a club that makes the players progress. And there is Antoine Griezmann,” the striker stated.

Lacazette also mentioned that only he would decide his future, by adding: “The president told me what he told you at a press conference. It is I who choose my future destination. It is a personal choice of a carefully considered career, which I have done for a long time.”

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Manchester City Close To Signing Monaco’s Fabinho

Fabinho is very close to making a switch to the Etihad

Monaco midfielder Fabinho is close to signing for Manchester City ahead of bitter their better inter-city rivals.

Fabinho has been a vital part of Monaco’s success this season, but is now very close to making a switch to the Etihad, according to the report from the Barcelona-based journalist Gerard Romero, who had also revealed City’s significant signings this season, including the likes of Nolito, Leroy Sane, and John Stones, before City had officially announced them.

Pep Guardiola is out in the market to replace Yaya Toure, and the Brazilian seems to be a perfect fit for City. Guardiola has had midfield issues since his arrival at the Etihad, and with his passing and forward-thinking philosophy, it’s been hard for the City boss to get things going.

However, with Fabinho’s signature, things would get in line for the Spanish coach, who is ahead of rivals Manchester United in signing the young midfielder.

Fabinho is one of Leonardo Jardim’s many stars who is expected to make a move away from Monaco this season, and back in February, the Brazilian’s father had told the French TV show J+1 about having a soft spot for City.

“We like Manchester United & Mourinho’s work, but we have a soft spot for Manchester City,” he had stated.

Nonetheless, Fabinho has a contract with the French outfit until 2021, and will therefore cost City around £25 million, which does not looks to be a serious problem given City’s financial track record in recent years.

Thomas Lemar, Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva, Tiemoue Bakayoko, and Benjamin Mendy are all linked with exits, and as it appears, Monaco’s exciting young team is likely to be torn apart this summer.

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Manchester United To Make An Offer For 16-Year-Old Benoît Badiashile

Red Devils have recently launched an offer for 16-year-old defender Benoît Badiashile

Premier League giants Manchester United have hired fresh scouts all over Europe to distinguish the emerging young talent that one day might make a move to Old Trafford, and as it seems, the club’s talent spotters have already found one potential target for United.

The Red Devils have recently launched an offer for 16-year-old defender Benoît Badiashile. The young Frenchman is said to have impressed United’s scouts with his latest performances with his national team at U16 level in the Val-de-Marne tournament.

According to French sports daily L’Equipe (via GFFN), United are moving forward to get the young defender’s signature in the summer. Badiashile is a product of the Monaco academy, and has excited the observers with his performances at the back for Monaco’s academy teams.

The teenager still has a couple of years left on his current contract, and thus, for the time being, it’s unclear as to how the player will proceed. It is yet to be seen whether the Frenchman has made up his mind to make a move to England at such an early stage, or continue to develop at Monaco.

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Oblak To Join Manchester United If De Gea Moves To Real Madrid

Manchester United have done their preliminary work on Jan Oblak

As David De Gea is likely to complete the switch to Real Madrid, Manchester United seem to have intensified their monitoring of Atletico Madrid’s goalkeeper, Jan Oblak.

United have been in pursuit of Oblak, and if David De Gea moves to Bernabeu this summer, then the Red Devils won’t think twice before launching an offer for the Slovenia international.

Manchester United are said to have done the preliminary work on the 24-year-old, and have already been in talks with the player’s agent about the potential move.

As per Mirror, the Red Devils have accepted the fact that their Spanish shot-stopper will positively be heading back to his homeland this summer after six years in England. However, United would be demanding a world-record fee for the goalkeeper from Los Blancos, which is estimated to be around £60 million.

Oblak has established himself to be one of Europe’s top keepers, and has been on the radar of Jose Mourinho as his ideal potential successor to De Gea.

Also, named as the best goalkeeper in Spain last season after conceding a record low of 18 goals, the Atletico Madrid man has a gigantic £85 million buyout clause in his contract that United would be bargaining on.

Even though Sergio Romero has been outstanding while filling in for De Gea this season, Mourinho appears to be adamant in making a big summer signing in order to replace the Spanish international instead of promoting the Argentine to first choice.

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Manchester United Set To Obtain Bernardo Silva’s Signature

Bernardo Silva has already hinted to join Manchester United in the coming transfer window

With a 2-0 win over St Etienne on Wednesday night, Monaco have confirmed themselves to be the Ligue 1 Champions. The league glory has returned at Stade Louis II after quite some time, and with an amazing season under their belt, Monaco are now ready to take the centre stage for the transfer window. But it won’t be in a positive way.

According to various reports Monaco’s star players will be leaving the club this summer, and as per the sources, Bernardo Silva has already hinted to join Manchester United in the coming transfer window.

Along with Silva, former United central defender Michael Keane is also set to return to Old Trafford.

As per the Canal+ report (via 101gg) that was given hours after Monaco’s Ligue 1 title triumph, Bernardo Silva is said to be very close to a move to United. The Portuguese international is tipped to improve the Red Devils’ playing style under Jose Mourinho next season.

Silva hinted that his future with Monaco is not decided yet, and “everything is possible,” as he told the French press: “I read the papers, but for now there is nothing concrete. I already said that I felt good in Monaco, but everything is possible.”

Another major factor that has boosted Silva’s move to Manchester United appears to be Jorge Mendes. Agent to Silva and Mourinho, Mendes seems to be the driving force in the playmaker’s transfer to the Premier League giants.

However, Monaco would only agree to let Silva go for 70-80 million Euros.

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Romelu Lukaku Speaks With Thibaut Courtois About Rejoining Chelsea

The Belgian international is also on Jose Mourinho’s watch

With one league game to spare, the Premier League Champions Chelsea have already started pursuing one of their major targets for the next season.

Romelu Lukaku has been heavily linked with the Blues this season, and the striker had indicated earlier as well about his wish to join the former club. And as it seems, even Antonio Conte is pushing for the Belgian to reunite with his old club this summer.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Chelsea are making a serious push for Lukaku after having secured the Premier League title, and as reported, the first contacts with the Everton striker’s entourage over his return to Stamford Bridge have already been made.

With Diego Costa possibly set for a move to China, the 24-year-old has been chosen by Antonio Conte to lead the Blues attack for the next season.

However, between all the transfer talks, Lukaku has himself contacted his Belgian teammate, Thibaut Courtois, to speak about the potential transfer.

Chelsea are now preparing to hold talks with Everton over the striker’s fee, but as per the reports, the negotiation may end up with the Stamford Bridge outfit paying around £70 million in order to secure Lukaku’s signature.

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

CIES’ Shocking Premier League Team Of The Season

CIES Premier League team of the season is based on the statistics and performance analysis

As the Premier draws to a close, there have been some extraordinary performances by many players, be it Costa, Hazard and Kante for Chelsea, Sanchez for Arsenal, Lukaku for Everton, or Kane and Eriksen for Spurs. 

However, the Best XI that has been revealed by CIES Football Observatory does not include any of the mentioned players.

Surprised? Shocked? Stunned? As neither the PFA Player of the Year nor the League’s top scorer features in the team of the season, here is the Best XI that have been named according to CIES Football Observatory.

1. Sergio Aguero (CF)

2. Kevin de Bruyne (CAM)

3. Pedro (RM)

4. Philippe Coutinho (LM)

5. Paul Pogba (CM)

6. Ander Herrera (CM)

7. Nicolas Otamendi (CB)

8. Dejan Lovren (CB)

9. James Milner (LB)

10. Cesar Azpilicueta (RB)

11. Hugo Lloris (GK)

According to the CIES Football Observatory, their Premier League team of the season is said to be based on the statistics and performance analysis.

However, the bizarre inclusion of Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren and James Milner has left everyone surprised. The Reds’ have conceded the most number of goals among the top seven sides except Arsenal this season.

As per reports, out of all the footballers who’ve played more than 2,000 minutes this season, only three other players, viz. Juventus’ Alex Sandro, Real Madrid’s Marcelo and Bayern Munich’s David Alaba have impressed more this season as compared to Milner.

Another eye opener comes with the inclusion of Manchester City’s striker, Aguero. The Argentinian has scored 18 goals this season, and currently sits 4th in the League’s Top Scorers List. Romelu Lukaku with 24 goals, Alexis Sánchez with 23, and Harry Kane with 22 have been left out.

With two games to spare, the newly crowned English champions Chelsea have just two players in this list, with Pedro and Cesar Azpilicueta making the cut. And despite being widely regarded as the best players in the league this season, Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante have been shunned by CIES.

Manchester United duo Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera make up the midfield, and with Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris guarding the goal, the CIES’ Premier League Team of the season has arguably raised some eyebrows.

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Pepe Transfer: Real Madrid Exit Certain, Next Club Not

Pepe will be leaving Bernabeu by the end of the season

One of Manchester United’s main concerns this season has been their injury hit defensive back-line, and Jose Mourinho seems to be all set to strengthen his defence for the next season. And with the transfer window coming closer, Mourinho has lined up an offer for Real Madrid’s star player, Pepe.

The Portuguese centre-back will be leaving Bernabeu by the end of the season with his contract expiring next month, but the 34-year-old still aims to continue playing top-level football. However, he appears to have very limited options on his side at present.

According to reports, Pepe has only two offers on the table, one being from Inter Milan and the other one from China. But he is believed to be uninterested in either, as the Madrid centre-back hopes to play in Europe’s elite competition next term, which unfortunately, the Nerazzurri cannot provide.

If United are able to achieve European glory by winning the Europa League this season, and hence qualify for the Champions League next term, the United boss would certainly be offering Pepe a deal to reunite with him at Old Trafford.

The two have worked together in the past during Mourinho’s time at Real, and may very well end together up again if United qualify for Champions League.

The Portugal international would be coming to Old Trafford on a free transfer if the deal were to happen, meaning Manchester United could still spend hefty amount of cash on other defensive reinforcements as well.

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More

Is United’s First Summer Signing Already Done?

James Rodriguez deal with Manchester United may be announced on Sunday

Manchester United have been regularly linked to some of the top names in football, and are now set to announce their first summer signing on Sunday. Jose Mourinho is lining up his first signing of this transfer window, and as per Radio Caracol in Colombia, it’s none other than Real Madrid’s playmaker James Rodriguez.

According to reports, Jorge Mendes met with Madrid’s president Florentino Perez in the last few days to discuss this potential transfer.

James has featured in 32 games for Real this season, with 21 appearances coming in La Liga, 6 in the Champions League and 3 in Copa del Rey being the major ones.

The Colombian star was subbed off in the second half in a 4-1 win over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu last weekend, but the way the fans and the player applauded each other appeared as if James may have played his last match for Los Blancos, despite Zinedine Zidane insisting otherwise.

Radio Caracol reported on Monday night that the James Rodriguez deal with Manchester United may be announced on Sunday, which is the final day of the La Liga season.

However, AS believe that Los Blancos may announce the deal after the Champions League Final, but no matter what, Rodriguez’s arrival at Old Trafford seems to be confirmed.

For more details visit BlameFootball

Read More